The 33rd annual Gatlinburg Chili Cook-off Presented by Bush’s® Chili Beans sparked success yet another year with tremendous turnout from visitors and locals alike, celebrating the kick-off to Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic Celebration. The event was complete with chili samplings from sixteen local vendors and live musical entertainment from country music artist and TikTok sensation, Hannah Dasher.
Contributing to the success of the event were sixteen local vendors offering their own unique take on the winter comfort food. The participating vendors were Margaritaville Hotel & Resort, Ober Mountain, Ole Smoky Moonshine, Puckers Sports Grill, Redhawk Security, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Savannah Bee Company, WVLT-TV, BBQ865, Crawdaddy’s, Crazy Hillbilly Cooking & Adventures, Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Police Department, Holston’s Kitchen Catering, Landshark Bar & Grill, Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina.
Each vendor created their own unique recipe, spicing up the competition while vying for honors in four different categories: Best Booth Decoration, Judge’s Choice, People’s Choice, and Best Dessert. The winners for those categories are listed below:
Best Booth Decorations
3rd Place: Gatlinburg Fire Department
2nd Place: Savannah Bee Company
1st Place: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
Judge’s Choice – Best Chili
3rd Place: Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina
2nd Place: Ole Smoky Moonshine
1st Place: Pucker’s Sports Grill
People’s Choice – Best Chili
3rd Place: Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
2nd Place: Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina
1st Place: Pucker’s Sports Grill
Best Dessert
2nd Place: WVLT
1st Place: Savannah Bee Company